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UPDATED 14 JANUARY, 2024 - 13:56 ROBBIE MITCHELL

The Chivalrous Melodies and Colorful Lives of the Medieval Troubadours
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From the 11th to 14th centuries, medieval Europe was home to a class of
poet-musicians known as troubadours. They started out in Occitania in
the 11th century before spreading across much of the continent. These
artists, not bound by social norms, composed verses and melodies often
centered around the ideals of courtly love and chivalry. Armed with
lutes and tambourines, troubadours captivated audiences in noble courts
and beyond, embodying a unique fusion of poetic expression and musical
artistry. Sadly, few of their works survive and many of their songs have
been lost to history. These remarkable musicians and writers, hailing
from diverse backgrounds crafted a cultural legacy that transcended
regional boundaries and can still be felt today.

Early History and Origins of the Troubadours: Songbirds of Medieval Europe
The exact origins of the troubadour tradition are surprisingly complex
and no real agreement between academics has ever been reached as to
where the tradition came from. These days there are at least eleven
prominent theories, each of which one could easily write thousands of
words on. That could get a little long winded, so, let’s focus on what
we do know.

The earliest troubadour whose work survives to this day is Guilhèm de
Peitieus, also known by his more official moniker, Duke William IX of
Aquitaine. Born in 1071 AD, William was a remarkable figure, famed for
his military and political achievements. Many consider him to be
history’s first troubadour, but not everyone is so sure.

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Musical historians have pointed out that his work only survived because
of his status and its likely earlier troubadours (if they existed) were
less lucky. On top of this, his music isn’t 100% original and uses
previously established musical structures. Some believe Eble II of
Ventadorn, despite being younger than William, was the first true
troubadour, but sadly none of his works survive.

Since the 16th century, scholars have speculated that William took
inspiration from Arabian and Moorish music and poetry. William served
during the Reconquista and the English chronicler Orderic Vitalis
referred to William writing lyrics about his time serving in the 1101
Crusade. Later historians have often disagreed, citing the fact that it
seems William only fought on the Iberian Peninsula towards the end of
his life. In turn, this has been countered with the idea that William
likely had people within his extended family of Iberian origins and
European friends who spoke Arabic.

In short, if William wasn’t the first troubadour, he was certainly one
of the first. While we can’t be sure of the tradition's origins,
historians have spent centuries examining William’s works looking for
clues. Theories abound as to where the troubadour tradition originated,
but it seems most likely it was influenced by a range of sources, Arabic
music being just one of them.

Medieval depiction of troubadours at court. (Public domain)

Medieval depiction of troubadours at court. (Public domain)

The Spread of the Troubadours
The debate as to whether William IX of Aquitaine was the first
troubadour or not is likely to keep raging on. When he died in 1126
troubadours were still rare and records from the first half of the 12th
century reveal very few recorded troubadours. This began to change
towards the end of the century.

Amazingly, around half of all surviving troubadour works were written
between 1180 and 1220 AD. In fact, there are more than 2500 troubadour
lyrics that can be traced back to this period.

It’s believed the tradition first gained popularity in western Aquitaine
(modern-day southwest France) before spreading to Gascony and then
eastern Aquitaine and Provence. During its peak around 1200, it then
spread to Languedoc, Rouergue, Toulouse and Quercy.

During the 13th century, just before its decline, it began spreading
into Italy and Catalonia and then took over what is now Spain and
Portugal. This period of expansion, between 1170 and around 1213, later
became known as the rayonnement des troubadours (influence of the
troubadours).

So how did the troubadour tradition spread? Through a combination of
cultural diffusion, patronage networks and the itinerant nature of some
troubadours themselves. Initially rooted in Occitania, the tradition
gained momentum as troubadours ventured beyond their regional origins.

While not all troubadours were traveling performers, many were. These
traveling troubadours, driven by a desire for patronage and recognition,
traveled extensively, bringing their art to different courts and
regions. As they wandered through various territories, they carried with
them the distinctive Occitan language, poetic forms and musical styles
that characterized the troubadour tradition.

Patronage was key to the tradition’s spreading. The hosting of the best,
most talented and most famous troubadours became a badge of honor for
nobles. As the demand for troubadours grew across medieval Europe, they
were tempted away from their original Occitan courts, spreading the
tradition as far as northern France, Italy and even the Iberian Peninsula.

Then there was the codification of the poetic forms used by the
troubadours. Men like Raimon Vidal, a Catalan troubadour, and Uc Faidit
of Query went to great trouble writing down the “rules” of troubadour
composition. On top of this, collections of troubadour poetry, known as
chansonniers, were compiled and circulated, contributing to the
preservation and dissemination of troubadour works. This likely led to
the rise of joglars, performers who didn’t write their own poetry but
traveled around performing the works of famous troubadours (much to the
annoyance of the troubadours themselves).

13th century depiction of a troubadour. (Public domain)

13th century depiction of a troubadour. (Public domain)

The Classical Period of the Troubadours
While the troubadour tradition kept spreading well into the 13th
century, its peak is widely considered to have been between 1170 and
1213. All of the most famous troubadours were active during this period.
Later generations, especially 14th and 15th-century scholars, believe it
was during this period that the troubadour poetry produced was at its
highest quality.

It was also during the classical period that perhaps the most popular
genre, canso (love song) came into its own. Of particular note during
this time was Bernart de Ventadorn, considered by his contemporaries and
later scholars to be the master of canso. Other great names were Giraut
de Bornelh, whose biographer described him as history's greatest
composer, and Bertran de Born, who specialized in a political song form
called sirventes.

As the troubadour tradition spread into Italy, Spain and Portugal during
the 13th century it was these classical troubadours whom local poets
emulated. Everything from their language and grammar, to style and
themes was considered superior to what came after. Emulating their style
wasn’t easy, but was made easier by the fact that it was during the
classical period that the style's “rules” of composition had been
standardized.

Decline of the Troubadour Tradition
By the late medieval period, particularly the 14th century, the
troubadour tradition was in decline. Several factors contributed to this
decline, marking the end of the troubadour era.

One of the biggest factors that impacted the tradition was the shifting
political and social landscape of Europe. Both the Hundred Years' War
(1337 to 1453) and the Black Death (mid-14th century) brought widespread
disruption and upheaval.

The chaos and uncertainty of these times led to a decline in the
patronage system that had sustained troubadours. With noble courts
facing economic challenges and social instability, the support for
artistic endeavors waned. It seems everyone was a little preoccupied
with not dying a gruesome death.

There was also new competition in the form of new literary forms and
cultural movements that were rising up to replace the old. The Ars Nova
movement, which introduced innovative musical styles, and the emergence
of Renaissance humanism shifted literary and artistic tastes away from
the troubadour's lyrical and poetic traditions. The music of the
troubadours simply fell out of fashion.

Religion also played a role. The Council of Trent (1545 to 1563) and the
subsequent Counter-Reformation placed increased emphasis on religious
piety and moral rectitude, which led to a diminished interest in the
secular and often amorous themes of troubadour poetry.

By the late 15th century, the troubadour tradition had largely faded
into obscurity, replaced by evolving artistic and cultural expressions.
While troubadour influences persisted in various forms, their distinct
tradition had run its course, giving way to new literary and musical
movements that characterized the changing times.